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FirstUp: Bangladesh's Yunus to unveil ‘July Proclamation' on Hasina's exit anniversary and other top news
The protests in July were sparked by a quota dispute, which led to massive unrest. AP/File Photo
It's a busy Tuesday.
Today marks one year since former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country by helicopter for India. The new interim government is expected to announce a series of planned changes aimed at reforming the country's democracy today.
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet for a special session to discuss the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The meeting comes after the recent release of disturbing videos showing two of the captives.
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In Pakistan, Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), will launch its long-anticipated protest campaign today. The group is calling for the former prime minister's release.
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey, who faces five charges of rape and one of sexual assault, is set to appear at Westminster magistrates' court for a hearing today.
Let's take a look at the events:
Bangladesh to unveil 'July Proclamation'
Bangladesh's interim government will announce a set of democratic reforms today, marking one year since the Sheikh Hasina-led administration was removed from power.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus is leading the caretaker government as chief adviser.
His office said the "July Proclamation" will be shared with the nation 'in the presence of all political parties involved in the mass uprising'.
Muhammad Yunus is leading the caretaker government as chief adviser. Reuters/File Photo
The document is expected to serve as an official account of the July protests and, according to the interim government, aims to bring the country together around ideas of anti-fascism, democratic revival and state reforms.
The protests in July were sparked by a quota dispute, which led to massive unrest. The Awami League, which held power until August 2024, has since been barred from taking part in elections by the Yunus-led government.
National elections are scheduled for April 2026. The July Declaration is expected to lay out the reforms the government says are necessary before the vote can take place.
Special UNSC meet to discuss Israeli hostages in Gaza
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a special session today to discuss the 50 Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
The meeting was requested by Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar after recent videos were released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski appearing extremely emaciated.
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Evyatar David (L) and Rom Braslavski (R). Image: AFP/X
Several Western leaders have criticised the release of the footage. Israeli officials have accused Hamas of denying food to the hostages.
Hamas, however, claims that hostages receive the same food as its fighters and civilians amid Gaza's worsening hunger crisis.
Aid agencies have accused Israel of using food as a weapon in its conflict with Hamas, contributing to famine conditions in Gaza. Israel has rejected the claim.
Imran Khan's party to protest in Pakistan
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the party led by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, will begin its protest campaign today, calling for his release from what it calls 'illegal' detention.
The protest has been planned to coincide with August 5, the day Khan was arrested in Lahore two years ago on corruption charges. PTI says the day will be observed as Black Day across the country.
'This movement is about justice, not confrontation. We want a fair trial of our leader's [Imran Khan] cases based on merit,' said senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser, according to Geo News.
The protest has been planned to coincide with August 5, the day Khan was arrested in Lahore two years ago. Reuters/File Photo
Notably, Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022. He remains in jail facing multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism, linked to the May 9 riots of 2023.
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Thomas Partey to appear in court over rape charges
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is due to appear at Westminster magistrates' court today in connection with multiple sexual offence charges.
He faces five charges of rape and one of sexual assault involving three women. The alleged incidents took place between 2021 and 2022.
According to The Guardian, the charges include two counts of rape of one woman, three counts of rape of a second woman, and one count of sexual assault of a third woman.
Notably, Partey was charged just four days after his departure from Arsenal following the end of his contract. During his nearly five-year spell with the club, he played 130 matches and scored nine goals.
With inputs from agencies
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Secondly, questions were also raised about the social backward status of Marathas, which was the politically dominant community with 33 per cent state population.
